The hunter takes on the aspect of the viper, causing ranged attacks to regenerate mana but reducing your total damage done by 50%. In addition you gain 4% maximum mana every 3 sec. Mana gained is based on the speed of your ranged weapon. Only one aspect can be active at a time.

The hunter takes on the aspect of the viper, causing ranged attacks to regenerate mana but reducing your total damage done by 50%. In addition you gain 4% maximum mana every 3 sec. Mana gained is based on the speed of your ranged weapon. Only one aspect can be active at a time.

Vipers may appear sluggish, but they can lash out with deadly speed and precision.[1]

The hunter takes on the aspect of the viper, causing ranged attacks to regenerate mana but reducing total damage done by 50%. Mana gained is based on the speed of your ranged weapon. Only one Aspect can be active at one time. If wearing at least two pieces of Gronnstalker's Armor, this Aspect also provides a passive effect of 5% of your Intellect in addition to the active regeneration.

Aspect of the Viper causes each ranged attack (including the initial application of Serpent Sting, all three charges of Explosive Shot, all three missiles of Multi-Shot, including the ticks of Serpent Sting or the damage of Volley) to generate a percentage of the Hunter's maximum mana.

After extensive testing I have found that the percentage of mana returned is always between 3.07 and 3.08 percent when Glyph of Aspect of the Viper is equipped. 3.075 percent is a good number to use for better accuracy in determining how long it will take you to regenerate your mana pool.

To find the amount of mana each shot will return the following formula should be used:

Mana Return = Base Mana * 0.03075

For example; If your base mana is 10,000 then you will be regenerating 307.5 mana per shot, rounded up to 308 for some shots and rounded down to 307 for others.

307.5 = 10,000 * 0.03075

Determining the time it will take you regenerate your mana pool is important in deciding between leather armor with no intellect or mail armor with intellect. The less time you're using Aspect of the Viper the more dps you will be doing.

Patch 2.2.0 (25-Sep-2007): This ability has received a slight redesign. The amount of mana regained will increase as the Hunter’s percentage of mana remaining decreases. At about 60% mana, it is equivalent to the previous version of Aspect of the Viper. Below that margin, it is better (up to twice as much mana as the old version); while above that margin, it will be less effective. The mana regained never drops below 10% of intellect every 5 sec. or goes above 50% of intellect every 5 sec.